Debut Date – former Toyko hope James McGivern to make pro bow next month

James McGivern has become the first of over 10 recent Irish pro recruits to be handed an officail debut date.

The Commonwealth Games medal winner is one of only a host of exciting new talents to announced their pro intentions before lockdown ruined initial pro bow plans.

The most high profile amateur defector now becomes the first to have an official debut date. Underage standout Edward Donovan has revealed he will debut on one of the BT Sports shows, but McGivern is able to discuss specifics when it comes to his first clash without a vest.

The Belfast fighter will debut on the second of three confirmed MTK shows come August 25.

The fighter, who was recently seen as a genuine Tokyo hope, will fight a yet to be confirmed opponent behind closed doors at the LS-LIVE in Wakefield.

Not quite as wide ranging as Donovan’s possible TV audience, but McGivern will still get to advertise his skills, as his debut will be streamed on ESPN+ and IFL TV.

Not only is McGivern decorate having won the medals in the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games and the Apia hosted youth equivalent 2015, but in early 2019 he was deemed one of the leading light welterweights in the country.

Indeed, he won the 2019 National Elite Championships and at that time look to be in Tokyo 2020 pole.

The St Georges ABC graduate spoke dreamly about going to the Olympics at that time and was adamant he was going to secure a slot.

The 21-year-old was first pick for the European Games at light welter and reached the last 16 in Minsk.

However, things went quiet very quickly after. McGivern didn’t enter the second National Elite Championships of the year and wasn’t on the radar in the second half of the year.

It’s not sure if had put himself forward for Olympic qualifier selection, but he wasn’t named in the 13 person team that ventured to London.

Indeed, he will next be seen in a pro ring and taking the first steps of a professional career.

McGivern will appear alongside Lewis Crocker and Gary Cully on the MTK card.